THE Police Regional Office (PRO)-Davao said the plebiscite on December 7 for the ratification of the law renaming Compostela Valley to Davao de Oro has been generally peaceful.
PRO Regional Director Filmore Escobal said the security coverage of the precinct and the transport of ballots have been safely carried out, attributing this to the combined efforts of various stakeholders.
He said they have already anticipated that the event will going to be smooth considering that almost all the residents are in favor of renaming the province.
"Through our close coordination with the Comelec (Commission on Elections), local government units, PNP (Philippine National Police) and AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines), and other government troops, we were able to ensure the peaceful exercise of the citizen's right to vote in the province," Escobal said.
Under Memorandum Order 42, President Rodrigo Duterte concurred with the Comelec deputizing the PNP and AFP for the plebiscite.
On the plebiscite day, Escobal visited Compostela Valley province and personally checked the deployment of troops at the polling centers and other vital installations.
Based on their data, there were a total of 559 PNP personnel who were deployed at the 286 polling centers to man the security of the electorate who took part in the plebiscite.
"We still do not let our guards down. Patuloy pa rin ang aming pinapatupad na maximum security coverage just to ensure that this will end peacefully and orderly until the plebiscite period is lifted," Escobal said.
The plebiscite period runs from November 7 to December 14 and during this period, permit to carry firearms is suspended.